complaint·October 12, 2021

During the LPA’s initial visit to the facility on 07/21/2021, the LPA met with center director Kylie Richardson (staff S1) at 11:25am to discuss the allegations. Richardson denied the allegations that the facility did not meet children’s needs and that the facility did not provide a safe environment for children in care. Richardson, however, acknowledged that the center had several physical plant related issues that it was addressing or already addressed that did not pose an immediate health and safety threat to the children in care. During the initial investigation visit, a facility tour was provided by the director at 11:25am. The LPA toured and inspected all preschool classrooms and all outdoor areas used for childcare. During the complaint investigation, interviews with facility staff were conducted. Staff member S2 was interviewed on 07/21/21 at 11:55am. Staff member S3 was interviewed on 07/26/21 at 04:11pm and staff S4-S5 were interviewed on 09/21/21 beginning at 12:01pm. While on a tour of the “pre-k” classroom on 07/21/21 at 11:29am, the LPA observed a laminate glass window in the room that had an “impact crack” in the shape of a spiderweb, approximately one foot in diameter and approximately five feet off the ground. According to staff that were interviewed during the investigation, the window was damaged after a child threw a toy at it around March 2021. In addition, the LPA also observed two, textured ceiling tiles in the same classroom that displayed evidence of water damage and mold growth. The LPA observed that children’s nap cots were arranged directly underneath the tiles. At 11:50am, the LPA toured a second classroom called the “preschool” room and observed that several napping children did not have washable sheets on their cots. Director Richardson stated that the facility maintains enough sheets on hand to accommodate each napping child, however, not all sheets are washed or dried in time for nap time. On 07/21/21, the LPA inspected the facility’s side yard, which is situated between the infant play yard and the main play yard. It was alleged that there was an outdoor power receptacle in the north-east corner of the yard with exposed wiring. The LPA identified the power receptacle and observed that the power receptacle has since been repaired and covered using a blank wall plate that was secured to the junction box with two screws; no exposed wiring was observed. Interviews with facility staff during the investigation revealed that a staff member discovered the faulty power receptacle and used a combination of clear packing tape and electrical tape to cover the receptacle as a temporary fix. Staff reported that although the immediate area near the power receptacle was blocked off, children were permitted to continue utilizing the play yard while the facility waited for the power receptacle to be properly repaired. Staff interviewed reported that it took several days for a KinderCare maintenance person to repair the power receptacle. Continued on LIC9099-C During the LPA’s initial investigation on 07/21/21 and follow-up visits on 09/21/21 and 10/12/21, the LPA did not observe any evidence of a wasp nest in the facility’s outdoor play yards. According to staff members S1-S4, all stated that they were aware of the nest inside the hollow space of the plastic play structure and either observed or learned about multiple children being stung while on the play yard. Several staff members stated that they reported the nest to director Richardson, who then reached out to an exterminator. Staff reported that children were permitted to continue utilizing the main play yard and play structure while the facility waited three days for an exterminator to eradicate the nest; this resulted in several other children being stung. Director Richardson estimates that nine children that were stung in total. During the LPA’s follow-up visit to the facility on 09/21/21, the LPA observed that the two ceiling tiles in the “pre-k” that showed signs of water damage and mold and the cracked window in the classroom were replaced. On 09/21/21 and 10/12/21, the LPA observed that all napping children at the center had washable sheets on their nap cots. Staff S1-S5 all stated that they have not observed any cleaning chemicals that were accessible to children in care. Staff interviewed stated that cleaning chemicals are either placed up high where it is inaccessible to the children, in an off-limits area, or in a latched cabinet. During the LPA’s initial visit on 07/21/21 and follow up visits on 09/21/21 and 10/12/21, the LPA did not observe any child accessible cleaning chemicals in any of the classrooms. Although there was not a preponderance of evidence to support that cleaning chemicals are accessible to children at the facility, the allegation that the facility did not provide a safe environment for the children in care is being substantiated due to the other parts of the allegation that are substantiated that includes the cracked, laminate window and water damaged and moldy ceiling tiles in the “pre-k” classroom and the wasp nest on the playground that resulted in numerous children being stung on different days. Based on the investigating LPA’s observations on 07/21/21 and information obtained from interviews with staff, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the above allegations are found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, is being cited on the attached LIC 9099-D. Appeal rights were provided. An exit interview was conducted, and this report as well as the deficiencies page was read and discussed in detail with the interim center director, Megan Brown. The Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days.